Doug Emhoff, praising Harris as a “joyful warrior,” shows his personal aspect in DNC speech
The second gentleman Doug Emhoff recalled his childhood living on the coasts of New Jersey and California and recounted the story of meeting his wife of a few years vice president Kamala Harris.
By Melissa Quinn
Doug Emhoff, the nation’s first gentleman of the second degree presented himself to attendees and the entire nation on Tuesday in the Democratic National Convention, praising his wife vice president Kamala Harris for her dedication to their family, and then tying it to how she’d lead the country should she be elected president.
“Wherever she’s needed, however she’s needed, Kamala rises to the occasion. And she did it for me and my family,” Emhoff addressed the crowd. “And now that the country needs her, she’s showing you what we already know: she’s ready to lead.”
Emhoff remembered his childhood within New Jersey and California, through his work acting as an attorney for entertainment to his meeting with Harris at the end of 2013. He revealed that Harris first called him at 8:30 a.m.
“I got a call from Kamala and I began rambling”Hey this is Doug. I’m on my way to an early appointment and, once again, it’s Doug.’ I recall trying to pull the words from the air, and then insert them into my mouth.” Emhoff said.
Harris saved the message and plays it to his every birthday, Emhoff added.
The couple will mark their 10th anniversary on Thursday and Friday night. Harris will give the opening speech in order for the acceptance of the Democratic nomination for president.
“As I got to know her better and just fell in love fast, I learned what drives Kamala. And it’s what you’ve seen over these past four years and especially these past four weeks,” Emhoff stated. “She finds joy in pursuing justice. She stands up to bullies, just like my parents taught me to. She likes to see people do well, but hates when they’re treated unfairly.”
Harris was praised by Harris for standing up to antisemitism, as well as all kinds of hatred.
“Her empathy is her strength,” Emhoff declared she was an “joyful warrior. “
“She will lead with joy and toughness, with that laugh and that look, with compassion and conviction,” the president said. “She’ll lead from the belief that wherever we come from, whatever we look like, we’re strongest when we fight for what we believe in, not just against what we fear.”
The year 2020 was the first time HTML0 has been used while Harris became the first woman to be elected as a vice president. Emhoff also made historical records of his own by becoming the first ever second gentleman and being the very first Jewish spouse of a vice president or vice president. Emhoff has been open regarding being vocal about his Jewish heritage and made fighting the stigma of antisemitism a major element of his campaign.
“She’s the one who encouraged me as second gentleman to take up that fight, which is so personal to me,” Emhoff declared.
Emhoff stated that he had met Harris during the “important moment” in his life.
“And at this moment in our nation’s history, she is exactly the right president,” he declared.
Melissa Quinn is a political reporter at CBSNews.com. She has published for publications such as The Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and the Alexandria Times. Melissa is a reporter for U.S. politics, with particular attention to court cases, including the Supreme Court and federal courts.
